If you have an intimate relationship with the Lord, you know that one of His traits is consistency. Whenever He wants something done, He follows it up with confirmation. Either through His words, a preacher, a friend, etc. Like signing up for something online, you get an email confirmation afterwards, that kind of thing.
I am not going to echo his preaching, but as he explained and shared his battle with cancer, there were several truths that our Heavenly Father confirmed to me that day.
He remembers. As much as we are encouraged to remember what Jesus did to the cross, He remembers us and constantly. Even in times when we don’t remember, He does. He remembers our pain, our brokenness, our sufferings, our needs, our tears.
He restores. We despair when we lose something or someone, or when we lose the capacity to do the things we want to do, but God brings it all back, to make us strong, firm and steadfast.
My tears were just flowing non-stop realizing who and what I am and how a Heavenly Father like ours remembers and cares for us. Undeserving, yet given the privilege to be an heir.
Just remembering that God gave us His Son, just remembering what Jesus did on the cross can combat any lies the devil might and will throw at us.
I have a permanent place for my keys but for some reason, I didn’t put them there and so I spent the whole day yesterday looking for them. Later that night my husband joined me and searched all around. We went to bed but we would get up secretly trying to look for it, yes that’s how serious we were in finding my keys. Understandably so because those were the keys to our house and the mailbox.
My husband was more concerned (euphemism for upset), I was not and I kept assuring him that the keys will turn up soon as we stop looking.
We went to bed.
We woke up and the first thing we talked about was the keys. We went the same route looking at places we’ve already checked just in case and there was nothing. He even looked in his car. When he left for work I sat in his chair and I prayed ” Father in Heaven, please show me where my keys are. Please show me where they are.”
I got up and very specifically went to the guest room (you know how when you go to a room and wonder why you’re there?) and I started looking inside different purses. I thought I had it figured out re-tracing the different purses I used the past days , still none.
All of a sudden, my attention was focused on the new purse I bought hanging in the closet. It is like an envelope, thin and sleek. So I thought to myself “why would it be here? won’t fit”. As I was getting ready to leave I turned around again, I reached for that purse (as if someone grabbed my hands and put them on the purse).
I didn’t open it, I sort of felt/frisked it and there was none. There was a thinner slip on attachment in the front of the purse, so I opened it…
The keys were found!
I immediately took a picture of it and texted my husband.
As I began to text him, I suddenly realized how I found my keys (God must be clearing his throat saying “ehem”). I blurted out “Oh My God,I am sorry! I asked you to show me and I didn’t even bother thanking you first”. It led to a prayer of thanksgiving, praise and worship.
Four years ago, I wrote about not wanting to love my enemy and just to pray for her which I took no delight in doing but I had to.
A year ago, her sister reached out to me and sort of apologized by acknowledging that she finally found out the truth and we started talking.
Recently I learned that this ex-friend I talked about, found Jesus and is on her way to mending broken relationships. I heard that she made an attempt to apologize to another friend that she slandered along with me but no mention of me,lol.
When I heard that, I said “seriously, Lord?” and yes, He answered and said “ what? you have a problem with that?” I remember I was laughing and shaking my head while doing dishes and having that conversation with the Lord.
I also remember when I was praying for her four years ago, I sort of mumbled the part where I said ” may she find someone to lead her to you and that you please work on her heart”. I guess I was acting stupid by believing that jamming my voice would somehow give a choppy signal to the Lord.
God heard. God listened. God acted.
He gave me peace in return for praying that and He went about doing His other business of working on her. The point of this testimony is that God is in control. He is serious about His saving business and He answers our prayers, in His own time for His glory.
I immediately remember this verse:
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.-Isaiah 55:11
Those words echoed in my heart and I am humbled that it is not what I want nor my desire that causes answered prayers but His-all the time. We just need to be obedient despite ourselves and leave everything up to the Heavenly Father to put things in order, not for our glory but for His and His alone.
I am not gonna say, “be careful what you pray for” but rather I would like to challenge you and say “Go ahead and pray, then prepare to be amazed.”
This morning I saw a teaser/headline about a study that said:”Having kids makes people unhappy”. Between making lunch and a phone call, I was unable to follow the story, but the headline kinda stuck in my head.
Moments later, my 8 year old niece who lives overseas called me. We talk daily and nightly. Some sessions are hilarious, some sessions are stressful I admit. This morning while I was talking to her and watching her on cam while dinner is on-going I witnessed what could be a story line for a reality show or a cartoon maybe. A rather interesting dynamic between her, her brother of 6 years and my sister. My niece doesn’t eat most vegetables and tonight’s menu included string beans. I’m telling you it was a good mix of funny, stressful and frustrating, crying, giggles and a lot of threatening haha. Giggles from the brother, threatening from me, frustration for my sister and crying for the little girl.
Long story short, it was a remote attempt to make her eat the string beans, standing our ground ( her crying did not work) lots of encouragement and cheering and impressive revelation from the youngest brother who for some reason was extra ordinarily cute tonight and displayed wisdom. “How can you say you don’t like string beans when you haven’t even tried it”,“You kept thinking you don’t like string beans, don’t over think it and just bite into it”. That kind of cuteness and wisdom. (My sister’s side remark was funny, too. “Good for you , you have wisdom”.)
Dinner ended and no child was harmed in the process, thankfully. Lol. Everyone was calm and my sister and I started assigning tasks to the kids. “Okay, girl sweep the floor and wipe the table.” The little boy volunteered to do the sweeping and the night ended with “I love yous”, “I am proud of you”. Pat each other in the back, goodnight.
For someone not physically with them, I was tired. Then in my devotion I just started praying and praising the Father for these kids. I told God how it was tiring, frustrating and asked for forgiveness for yelling and just kind of delete any bad impression we might have done in the process of training and disciplining them. While praying and remembering the morning headline, God impressed upon me the following:
Children are gifts and a blessing from the Lord. NO matter how tiring and frustrating and everything else in between, that is the fact the Lord reiterated in me.
A baby is a joy. It is one of life’s amazing experience-giving birth to another human being.
Children are a heritage from the Lord. Inheritance are worth a fortune, they are valuable. They are gems equivalent to precious stones.
“Let the little children come to me..”-Matthew 19:14 Photo credit:faithgateway.com
True, raising kids entail A LOT! You devote your life and time raising, providing and caring for them. That is parenthood. The responsibility is great but the stress and challenges that come with it should not cloud our judgment and take away the joy from these wonderful, valuable gifts.
Having kids is not just one task on our to-do list. It is a career, it is a lifestyle.We are not equipped with all the necessary skills and that is why we NEED TO PRAY for strength and wisdom and lift the kids to the Lord for protection and guidance.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.-Proverbs 22:6
Don’t be lazy to train your kids, they will thank you for it later.
Don’t just be a friend to your kids, be the disciplinarian and be the adult. Stand your ground, be firm but loving.
Spoiling them is not gonna be beneficial. Teach them fortitude and make them work for what they need. Make them work harder for what they want.
Teach them to listen to you, but be the voice of reason and truth.
Pray for them ALL the time. Cry out to God for wisdom and strength.
My nephews and nieces give me joy and stress sometimes lol. I may not have children but I started caring for my siblings at age 5. I grew up learning how to care for another human being early in life. I spent most of my life helping raise my nephews and nieces. It was not easy but it wasn’t that hard either. Our Heavenly Father is our anchor and the source of all strength, wisdom and understanding. It is always rewarding to hear them pray and interact with the Lord. They get the blessing, God gets the glory.
When you think you are helpless and at your wits end and unhappy, you should try God and the bible sometimes. What have you got to lose?
My trip to California was sweet. I was able to re-connect with old friends from church and my best friend.
My first day, my friends and I met in San Francisco and instead of going straight home they took me to Moraga and 16th. I worked in Sanfo for 3.5 years and I never once heard of the mosaic stairs. The artisan project was a beauty in itself with succulents all around. But getting to the top to see a breath taking view of San Francisco was worth the climb. It was only 163 steps, but for someone who hates stairs it might as well be 1,163 steps! Did I mention it was free?
Halfway to the top of the stairs
Mosaic Stairs
There are “hidden”treasures right under our noses. Sometimes our appetite for everything grandeur overlooks simple beauties. The best things in life sometimes are free. Not everything expensive is the best, that is a fallacy.
We look hard and go extreme to experience wonders and sights, but there is beauty in simplicity. Re-discover and explore, for you might find gemstones hidden in plain sight.
Let me end by saying that in our spiritual life, we are bound to re-discover “hidden” treasures and wonders. Re-discover your first love and re-kindle the fire the first time you fell in love with Jesus.
God’s wonders never go stale. His mercies and love are always free, always fresh.
…The LORD’S loving-kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.-Lamentations3:23
Go ahead, re-discover. Be amazed and be refreshed.
When faced with trouble, how many of us drop on our knees and inquire of the Lord instead of acting on impulse? How many of us turn to friends first or drugs or alcohol before turning to God first? How many times have we exhausted everything in our might only to turn to God as a last ditch effort?
God is no second best, not third nor last. He is our first line of defense in battling life’s circumstance. The God we serve is not just the God of good times, He is most of all the God of bad times.
When fear and doubt hit us, we hit the prayer closet and inquire of the Lord. Sadly, it is not how it is with most people. Even believers sometimes fall for the enemy’s trick that God doesn’t care about our troubles. The lies Satan perpetuates may seem legitimate at the time and we accept it because our human nature is to throw a pity party with whines.The intoxication makes us doubt our Father’s power and love and we stay hungover with bitterness and fear.
We can learn from the biblical saints who displayed wisdom by trusting in the Lord, seeking Him first, trusting and waiting expectantly. Our Heavenly Father is madly, deeply in love with us and is always available to save us from our woes.
When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will reward them with long life; I will save them.”
-Psalm 91:14-16
Whatever your circumstance today, I pray that this song will minister to you as it did to me this morning. God is bigger than our problems and He is able to provide and get us through on a daily basis.
Stephen had a face of an angel. He was wise and very articulate. Yet, he died a senseless death (not in the eyes of God though) for offending the Sanhedrin, for telling the truth.
Oh well, no one wants to be told how to live their lives and be reminded of their mistakes, right? Instead of accepting the truth, they acted like bratty kids (Acts 6:57), and mind you they were supposed to be learned council members who constituted the supreme court and legislative body. They were mean, arrogant and full of pride. Not wanting to accept the fact that a lowly disciple could be so brazen as to speak in front of them and claim authority in Jesus, they stoned Stephen to death.
Stephens still exist today. Sanhedrin still exists today. A different version from that of the bible’s but the oppression and persecution is amplified just the same. Christians speaking of truth and preaching in the name of Jesus, standing by what they believe is right, holy and moral, get stoned.
Sadly, Christianity is unpopular, sometimes even to the Christians themselves. Playing it safe and sugar coating it is the way to escape persecution and belittlement. Those who stand firm are labeled, harassed and stoned.
The hostility of those who oppose Christianity now is as great as the Sanhedrin’s hostility in Judea and the reasons haven’t really changed since then: Hatred of Jesus, entitlement, pride, arrogance, disobedience, sin.
Are we able to pull a Stephen act? Are we really able to speak the truth in the midst of popular, desensitized culture? Are we able to say to those who oppose, persecute and spit on us “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Can we really find it in our hearts to speak gently and lovingly to those who hate us? Forgive and remember them at the throne?
What would you do when a stoner threw a stone at you?
My devotion reminded me of a sermon from years ago about exposing your wound so it heals faster. As a child, that was always true. A scratch or a cut after washing with soap and water would be left uncovered as my mother would say it would heal fast. ( I thought maybe we just didn’t have the money to buy band-aid.)
The word refresh is defined as “to revive”, “to become fresh again”. One definition even described it as to “undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one’s or its original nature.” One perfect example is waking up refreshed after a rough long day. We are rejuvenated and recharged.
Sin has a rotting effect on us. Like certain wounds, if not properly cared for can just eat away our flesh and cause infection and can potentially kill as well. It is like having a parasite living inside of us, slowly eating us from the inside. We get sicker and weaker and could be slowly dying.
When Peter noticed onlookers were amazed after healing a beggar (Acts 3), he took the opportunity to remind people to REPENT and to make things right with God. He urged the people to turn to God so that their sins may be wiped out, “that the times of refreshing may come from the Lord”.
How many times have we heard of people feeling relieved after disclosing a secret kept for a long time? How many times have we heard of people feeling the weight of guilt lifted off their shoulders after confessing or forgiveness? How many times have we nurtured a wound by keeping it covered only to find out that concealing actually made it worse?
It is no wonder why Peter said repentance merits refreshing. It is the mercy of our God that gives us respite. The forgiveness of our sins rejuvenates us and make us look at our circumstance differently. Repentance enables us to undergo change. It alters our essence for the better, losing the original rotten state in the exchange of a revived one.
Do you feel drained and empty? Do you feel like sin is sucking the life out of you? Take a moment and hang out with the Father. Confess and repent, and be refreshed by the grace, mercy and love of God through Jesus.
prodigal daughter 
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